Manager Pleased With Shittu Return

Gary Megson has laid down the gauntlet to Danny Shittu after the defender impressed on his return to the starting line-up in the 4-1 victory over Middlesbrough.

The Wanderers boss wants the Nigerian international to continue where he left off when Bolton head to Stamford Bridge this weekend to tackle title-chasing Chelsea.

Shittu has endured a stop-start career at the Reebok since moving from Watford for £2m last summer, but he was given the nod ahead of both Andy O'Brien and Sebastien Puygrenier to partner Gary Cahill against the Teessiders.

Saturday's outing was Shittu's ninth of the season, and Megson says that the 28-year-old will continue to keep his place if the performances and results keep on coming.

"Danny has had a stop-start season but he did very well when he went on at West Brom and again on Saturday against Middlesbrough," said the Wanderers manager.

"Danny was a little bit unfortunate at Arsenal because he lost his place and then we went on a decent run after that when we played Andy O'Brien.

"Before Saturday, in the games that Danny had played, we had only taken one point. That's not pure and simply down to his performances, in fact it's far from the case, but you have to get a team out there and not 11 individuals and some people play better alongside others.

"He has now got to stay in there and players will always stay in there if we play well and win. Playing well and not winning doesn't guarantee that you will stay there. He has got keep it going and one game won't make any difference, not just to Danny but anybody.

"He played very well against Middlesbrough, we won 4-1, hence if he doesn't play this Saturday then he would have a strong case to come and see me."

Megson also saluted the in-form Ricardo Gardner, who netted his fourth Barclays Premier League goal of the season against Middlesbrough.

Of late, Gardner has been playing in a more unorthodox central midfield berth as opposed to his customary position on the left flank, and Megson believes that the Jamaican is relishing his new role.

He added: "It wasn't an experiment because we now his qualities and we know what he can do. He's done brilliantly and he seems to be enjoying it because he is involved a lot more.

"His performance on Saturday epitomised what we were looking for."